Pipe wrapping machine



April 23, 1935. 1 s. Rosi-:NER

PIPE WRAPPING MACHINE` Filed Aug. 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1l .April 23,1935. l.. s. ROSENER 1IPE WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. `8, 1928 2Sheecs-Sheefl 2 Patented Apr. 23, 1935 UNITED STATES 1,998,910 PIPEWRAPPINGl MACHINE Leland S. Rosener, San Francisco, Calif.,`assignpr toThe Parafline Companies, Inc., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation ofDelaware Application August s, 192s, serial No. 298,379

25 Claims.

My` invention relates to a machine for wrapping objects, and one oftheobjects of the invention is to provide means for wrapping a pro,tective strip of material about pipe of a pipe line already in positionin the ground.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pipe wrappingmachine by which protective strips are wrapped about a fixed pipe, andembodying means for applying an adhesive and waterproof fluid to bindthe wrapping to the pipe and seal the pipe with an impervious coveringwhich is water and decay proof.

Another object of my invention is the provision of improved means forholding a supply roll of Wrapping material during the operation of themachine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for preventingloosening of the supply roll of wrapping material during operation ofthe machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for coveringthe supply roll holding means to prevent access of the adhesive fluidthereto.

` A further object'l of my invention is the provision of improved meansfor applying adhesive fluid to bind the wrapping to the pipe.

My invention possesses other objects and valuable features, some ofwhich will be set forth in the following description of my inventionwhich is illustrated in the drawings forming part of the specication. Itis to be understood that'I do not limit myself to the showing made bythe said description and drawings, as I may adopt varying forms of myinvention Within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the wrapping ,machine of my invention inposition for applying a wrapping strip on a pipe line; and Figure 2 is aside elevation of the same, a portion of the structure being omitted todisclose the construction more clearly.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the machine, the view being taken in thedirection of arrow 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the driving gear for the reel anddistributor head; the

plane of section is indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view thru the adhesive uiddistributor head, the plane of the section being indicated by the line5--5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view thru and durable material.

.porarily arranged at the side of the ditch in (Cl. 242-11) v the upperpart of the distributor shown in Figure 5. The plane of section is shownby the line 6-6 of Figure 5. y Figure '7 is a perspective view showing amodifled type of distributor pipe for the distributor 5 head.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the use of two distributor pipeson the distributor head; and Figure 9 is a sectionalview taken on aplane indicated byline 9-9 of Figure 8. 1 0

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional viewthru the wrapping strip reel.The plane of section is indicated by the line IU--l of Figure 2 Figure11 is a sectional view taken in a Vertical plane coincident with theaxis of the reel shown 15 in Figure 10. The plane of section isindicated by the line Il-II of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view thru a distributor pipe, showing a springgate to control the flow of fluid. .'20

In terms of broad inclusion, the wrapping machine of my inventioncomprises a frame, provided with means for supporting, it upon a pipe tobe Wrapped. A reel on which a quantity of the wrapping material is heldin a roll encircling the pipe is arranged on the frame. Means areprovided for rotating the reel to Wind the strip about the pipe andsimultaneously to advance the frame along the pipe, so that the wrappingstrip is applied to the pipe spirally-one over the other; and means areprovided to'prevent unwinding of the roll while the strip is wound aboutthe pipe. Means are provided for applying a sealing fluid such as hotasphalt, so that the wrapping strip is adhesively retained in place andthe laps sealed with an adhesive, waterproof To prevent accumulation ofthe adhesive on the reel, a covering is used to protect the reel.

In greater detail, the Wrapping machine of my invention comprises aframe 2,A one end of which is pointed. On the frame is journaled a shaft3 carrying a wheel 4, adapted to support the unpointed end of the frameupon the pipe or pipe line 6. Preferably the wheel is provided with arubber tire 'l to tractively engage the surface of the pipe. The pointedend `of the frame is similarly supported by a wheel 8 carried on theframe and provided with a rubber tire 9. Shoes Il (Figure 2) supportedon the frame on each 50 side of the pipe prevent lateral displacement ofthe frame, and a vertically adjustable arm I2 extending laterally fromthe Vframe carries a wheel I3 adapted to rest on a plank I4 temwhich thepipe is laid. The dirt at the side of the ditch may be leveled off so asto provide an approximately true surface I6 on which the planks may beconveniently placed. The machine may thus travel along the pipe withoutdanger of tipping over.

Slidably mounted and journaled adjacent one end in the forked bearingI1, fixed to the frame, is a shaft I8, the opposite end of which isjournaled in the bearing I9 fixed to the frame. Upon the shaft I8 iskeyed a combination friction disk and gear 2| in mesh with the pinion 22of the electric motor 23 connected by flexible conductors with anysuitable source of power to drive the main shaft I8. Splined on theshaft 24, journaled in the terminal bearing 26 integral with the bearingI1 and also journaled in the bearing 21 on the frame, is a frictionwheel 28 adapted to engage the face of friction disk 2 I. The frictiondisk 2l is pressed against the friction wheel 28, by means of a spring29 surrounding shaft I8 and interposed between fixed bearing I1 and acollar 3| threaded on the shaft I8. For causing thefriction disk .2I torotate without contact with the friction wheel a set screw 32 abuttingagainst the end of shaft I8 is threaded in bearing 33 on the frame. Awheel 34 is provided for turning the set screw to move the shaft anddisk 2| inwardly, and lock wheel 36 is provided for fixing the set screwin position. It is thus seen that the spring 29 normally tends to holdthe friction wheel and disk in contact, but by turning the set screw 32inwardly the mechanism can be clutched.

The wheel 4 is driven to move the frame along the pipe by means ofpinion 31 fixed to shaft 24 and in mesh with gear 38 on shaft 39carrying the pinion 4I in mesh with gear 42 carried by the shaft 3,upon-which the wheel 4 is also carried. For selectively varying thespeed of rotation of friction wheel 28 and hence the speed of movementof the frame along the pipe, the friction wheel is provided with agrooved hub 43 in engagement with the spindle 44 in suitable bearings onthe frame, and which can be positioned by means of the wheel 46 on thespindle.

Fixed on the main shaft I8 is a pinion 41 in mesh with the annular gearor rotor 48, arranged in a bearing 49 on the frame, and which as shownin Figure 4 extends around the upper two-thirds of the journal 5I of thegear, thus leaving a gap in the lower portion of the bearing. The rotoris provided with a removable segment 48' so that when the segment istaken out of the rotor, the machine may be let down over the pipe. Withthe securing of the segment once more in place by means of the screws52, the rotor surrounds or encircles the pipe.

Extending from ydiametrically opposite points on the rotor are arms 53on the ends of which is pivotally mounted a reel frame comprising thebottom 54 having a slot 55, with inwardly projecting flanges 55'adjacent the slot to form a spout, and the annular side anges 56.Journaled in the annular flanges 56 are a series of circumferentiallyspaced rollers 51 each of which is provided with an annularly groovedhub 58 on each side. These hubs provide a journal for the annular plates59 which comprise flanges for the rollers. In order to permit assemblyof the reel over the pipe line, the annular flanges 56 and 59 are alsomade in two portions as shown best in Figures 3 and l1, and each isadapted to be secured together by the swing screws 6I locked in lugs 62by the wing nuts 63.

The reel thus formed is adapted to hold a roll 64 of strip wrappingmaterial, and because of the friction reducing effect of rollers 51,this roll may be unwound from the inside as the strip is applied to thepipe. Means are provided for adjusting the angular relation of the reelto the pipe and this is accomplished by providing the end of one of thearms 53 with an upturned end 65 which has pivotally mounted therein alug 66 thru which is threaded a spindle 61, passing loosely thru a lug68 fixed to the bottom 54 and prevented from axial movement in the lug68 by the round faced collars 69. permits rotation of the spindle to xthe angular position of the reel.

In order to wind on the supply of wrapping material, the friction disk2| is moved out of contact with friction wheel 28 to prevent movement ofthe machine along the pipe and the reel is adjusted with its axiscoincident with that of the pipe. The motor is stopped and the end ofthe strip 12 of material from a supply roll, positioned either on themachine directly above the reel or off the machine on a truck orcarriage, is then applied on the side of the reel as indicated by thedotted lines in Figure 10. With the starting of the motor 23, the reelis rotated until a sufficient amount of material has been accumulatedwhereupon the material may be torn to provide a loose end on the reel.

In applying the wrapping material to the pipe, the inner end of the rollon the reel is placed about one of the rollers 51 as best shown inFigure 10, and is then drawn thru the slot 55 in the reel bottom 54. Thematerial is next started about the pipe by hand. The roller 51 aboutwhich the strip passes, is located above the slot 55 and is preferably alittle larger than the other rollers; the bottom r54 of the'reel isindented to accommodate the roller.

`'Ihe angular relation of the reel to the pipe is determined by theratio between the rotational speed of the reel and the speed of forwardmovement of the main frame along the pipe; and this ratio, the angularadjustment of the reel and the width of the strip of wrapping materialare so arranged and proportioned that the desired amount of lapping ofthe spiral strip is secured. If desired this lap may be so great thatwith a single strip, the covering will consist of two or even morethicknesses of material. With the motor started and other adjustmentsproperly made, the reel is rotated simultaneously with rotation of drivewheel 4; and with the progression of the entire machine along the pipe,the wrapping strip is drawn off the inside of roll 64, the entire rollrotating upon the rollers of the reel.

In winding the roll of material from the reel. onto the pipe, the looseend on top of the roll flaps about and thereby causes a loosening of theroll which is undesirable; therefore, means are provided for tensioningthe roll 64 on the reel and to prevent loosening thereof. As best shownin Figures 1 and 2, a rod 13 is fixed to the main frame and extendslongitudinally therefrom to a point adjacentthe reel. Journaled on therod 13 is a collar 14 prevented from sideward movement .by means ofcollars 16 fixed to rod 13. A second rod 11 carrying the pivotallymounted weight 18 adapted to t between the annular flanges of the reel,and to rest on the roll, is. pivotally connected to the collar 14. It isthus seen that weight 18 resting on the roll, prevents looseningthereof, and at the same time due to the flexibility of the connectionsbetween the A hand wheel 1I' Cil weight and main frame, it can beadjustably positioned according to the position of the reel.

Means are provided for applying a sealing fluid to the pipe and wrappingstrip while the latter is applied, and preferably this fluid is hotasphalt so that the strip is not only cemented into place but all jointssealed with a decay-resisting and waterproof material,

Fixed on the arms 53 between the rotor 48 and the reel is an annulartrough-like chamber 19, best shown in Figures 5 and 6. The chamber has aU-shaped section and is closed at its outer periphery by a rim 8|suitably mounted on the frame 2. The rim is provided with recessesadapted to hold electric heating elements 82, supplied thru conductors83 connected to any suitable source of energy, so that the contents ofthe chamber may be kept hot. The rim is preferably provided withinsulation 84 to prevent waste of heat, and this retained in place bythe metallic shell 86.

The chamber is fed thru the pipe 81, con' necting the rim with the tank88 in which iiuid asphalt is placed from time to time as the wrappingproceeds. Both the rim and chamber are made in sections as shown inFigure 5 to permit them to be assembled over the pipe. The rim isconveniently made in two halves, joined together by the readily releasedswing screws 80, and the lower part is supplied with a drain openingnormally closed by plug 9 I, so that the chamber may be drained of uidwhen it is necessary to disconnect the parts. The removable portion ofannular chamber 19 preferably constitutes about one-third of thecircumference of the chamber, and the parts are held together by readilyoperated swing screws 92.

Extending from the side of the distributor head or chamber 19 thusconstitutedand positioned just ahead of the wrapping strip, is a pipe ordistributor 93 having a slot 94 in the end-thereof in such position topermit the wrapping strip to pass therethru so as to discharge uidbetween the pipe and wrapping strip and on both sides of the Wrappingstrip. This insures suincient coating for the strip and pipe. Thedistributor rotates with a lunar motion about the pipe.

To facilitate passing the strip thru the slot of the distributor pipe,the pipe may be constructed with a removably mounted portion 96 havingthe half plug 91 cooperating with the half plug 98 to close the end ofthe pipe. The removable portion is resiliently held to the pipe by meansof a spring 99 fitting in groove |0|. lIt is thus seen that in theconstruction described.,.the strip may be easily passed thru slot |02 bysep arating the parts and then permitting them to snap into positionagain.

In Figures 8 and 9 is shown another modification for applying the iluidto both sides of the wrapping strip. Extending from the side of thechamber 19, are two distributor pipes |03 spaced from each other andbetween which the strip is passed. Slots |04 are provided in the ends ofthe pipes on adjacent sides; so that fluid is discharged on each surfaceof the strip. The two distributor pipes are also mounted for lunarmotion about the pipe to be wrapped.

In the event of uid flowing out too rapidly from the slot in thedistributor pipe through which the material passes, a spring gate |06,shown in Figure 12, may be xed to one or both sides of the pipe adjacentthe slot; so that the ends of the gate resiliently abut against the striand pipe to control the flow of iluid.

yIt is to be noted that since the reel is vprovided with a bottom 54, acovering for the rollers 51 obtains; therefore, uid does not accumulateon the rollers to cause them to function improperly; nor does itaccumulate on the underside of the roll to cause it to stick to therollers.

I claim:

l. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame, a wheel forsupportingsaid frame upon the pipe to be wrapped, a rotor adapted toencircle the pipe andmounted. on said frame, means mounted on said rotorfor holding the Wrapping material, means for rotating the rotor totransfer the wrapping material from the holding means to the pipe, meansfor rotating the wheel to move the frame'along the pipe, means forvarying the relative speed of rotation between the wheel and rotor, andmeans for applying a iluid to bind the wrapping material tothe pipe.

f 2. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame, a wheel for supportingsaid frame upon the pipe to be wrapped, a reel for holding the wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe,

means for rotating the reel to apply the wrapping material to the pipe,and means for rotating the wheel to move the frame along the pipe.

3. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame, a wheel for supportingsaid frame upon the pipe to be Wrapped, a reel -for holding the wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe, means for rotating the reel toapply the wrapping material to the pipe, means for rotating the wheel tomove the frame along the pipe, and means for varying the relative speedof rotation between the wheel and reel.

4. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame, a wheel for supportingsaid frame upon the pipe to be wrapped, a reel for holding the wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe, means for rotating the reel toapply the wrapping material to the pipe, means for rotating the wheel tomove the frame along the pipe, and means for varying the speed ofrotation of the wheel.

5. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame, a wheel for supportingsaid frame upon the pipe to be wrapped, a rcel for holding the wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe, means for rotating the reel toapply the wrap ping material to the pipe, means for rotating the wheelto move the framealong the pipe, and means for applying a fluid to bindthe wrapping' material to the pipe.

6. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a reel for holding the wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe, means for varying the angularrelation between the reel and the pipe, means for rotating the reel toapply the Wrapping material to the pipe, tensioning means for the rollon the reel, and means for movably positioning the tension means toaccord with the varying positions of the reel.

7. A pipe wrapping machine comprising la reel for holding the wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe, means for varying the angularrelation between the reel and the pipe, means for rotating the reel toapply the wrapping material to the pipe, and a shiftable weight adaptedto rest upon the roll on the reel.

8. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame, a reel for holding thewrapping material in a roll encircling the pipe and arranged on saidframe, means for rotating the reel and advancing the frame axially alongthe pipe, and tensioning means for the roll on the reel.

9. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame, a reel for holding thewrapping material in a roll encircling the pipe and arranged on saidframe, means for rotating the reel and advancing the frame axially alongthe pipe, and a weight mounted on said frame and adapted to rest uponthe roll on the reel.

10. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame, a reel for holding thewrapping material in a roll encircling the pipe and arranged on saidframe, means for rotating the reel-and advancing the frame axially alongthe pipe, and alweight movably mounted on said frame and adapted to restupon the roll on the reel.

l1. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a reel for holding the Wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe, means for rotating the reel toapply the wrapping material to the pipe, means for applying a fluid tobind the wrapping material to the pipe, and means for protecting theroll on the reel from the fluid.

12. A pipe Wrapping machine comprising a reel for holding the Wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe, means for rotating the reel toapply the wrapping material to the pipe, means for applying a fluid tobind the wrapping material to the pipe, and a covering interposedbetween the roll and pipe.

13. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a reel for holding the wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe, means for rotating the reel toapply the wrapping material to the pipe, a chamber for sealing fluid,means for discharging the iluid from the chamber to bind the wrappingmaterial to the pipe, means for mounting the discharging means for lunarmotion about the pipe, and means for protecting the roll on the reelfrom the fluid.

14. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a reel for holding the wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe and including friction-reducingmeans between the material and the4 body of the reel, said reel having abottcmto provide a covering for the material andfriction reducing means,and means for rotating the reel to transfer the Wrapping material fromthe roll to the pipe.

15. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a reel for holding the Wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe and including friction-reducingmeans between the material and the body of the reel, said reel having abottom to provide a covering for the material and friction reducingmeans, and said bottom having a slot thru which the material passes, andmeans for rotating the reel to transfer the Wrapping material from `theroll to the pipe.

16. In a pipe wrapping machine, a plurality of rollers circumferentiallyjournaled about the pipe and adapted to hold a roll of wrappingmaterial, means interposed between the pipe and rollers to provide acovering for the rollers, and means for moving the plurality of rollersto transfer the wrapping material from the roll to thel pipe.

17. In a pipe wrapping machine, a reel adapted to encircle the pipe,-anda plurailty ol rollers journaled circumferentially in said reel to holda roll of wrapping material, said reel having a bottom to provide acovering for said rollers.

18. In a pipe wrapping machine, a reel adapted to encircle the pipe, anda plurality of rollers journaled circumferentially in said reel to holda roll of wrapping material, sai-d reel having a bottom to provide acovering for said rollers, and said bottom having a slot thru which thematerial passes. i

19. In a pipe wrapping machine, a reel adapted to encircle the pipe, aplurality of rollers journaled circumferentially in said reel to hold aroll of wrapping material, said reel having a bottom to provide acovering for said rollers, and said bottom having a slot thru which thematerial passes, and flanges adjacent the edges of said slot.

20. A pipe Wrapping machine comprising a rotor adapted to encircle thepipe, means mounted on said rotor for holding the wrapping material,means for rotating the rotor to transfer the wrapping material from theholding means to the pipe, fluid discharge means for applying fluid onboth sides of the wrapping material, and means for mounting the fluiddischarge means for lunar rotation about the pipe.

21. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a rotor adapted to encircle thepipe, means mounted on said rotor for holding the wrapping material,means for rotating the rotor to transfer the wrapping material from theholding means to the pipe, fluid discharge means including a distributorpipe having a slot thru which the material passes, and means formounting the distributor for lunar rotation about the pipe.

22. A pipe wrapping machine comprising means for applying wrappingmaterial to the pipe, and fluid discharge means comprising a distributorpipe mounted for lunar motion about the pipe to be Wrapped and having aslot through which the material passes for applying uid on both sides ofthe wrapping material.

23. A pipe wrapping machine comprising means for applying wrappingvmaterial to the pipe, and fluid discharge means comprising a pluralityof distributor pipes between which the material passes, said pipeshaving discharge openings for applying fluid on both sides of thewrapping material.

24. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a reel for holding the Wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe, a wheel for supporting the reelupon the pipe, means for rotating the reel to apply the Wrappingmaterial to the pipe, means for rotating the Wheel to move the reelalong the pipe, and means for applying a fluid to bind the Wrappingmaterial to the pipe.

25. A pipe wrapping machine comprising means for holding the wrappingmaterial in a roll encircling the pipe to be wrapped, a wheel forsupporting said holding means on the pipe, means for rotating the wheel,and means for applying a fluid to bind the Wrapping material to 'thepipe.

LELAND S. ROSENER.

